Free transform perspective tool missing ?

[Leanne5CE2]

I'm on Illustrator 25.2.3. This tool is missing. I can't find it anywhere, even when I go to rebuild my toolbar and click advanced - there's no option for this tool. Seems to have disappeared completely.  (Yes, I already looked under the free transform tool.) This update is super buggy on Mac Big Sur 11.2.3. 

[Monika Gause]

So you have the free transform tool.

And what's missing? The little options bar? It's often hidden below the actual toolbar. So when you move the toolbar to the side, you might find it there.

[SBRudy]

But I have searched under the toolbar and its not there. I am trying to find the other options to the Free Transform tool, because what I have currently only skews. It doesn't allow me to do anything else to an object. I have attached what I'm trying to find (from a picture on the internet). Is it a matter of what version of Illustrator I am running?

[Monika Gause]

I assume you are using a somewhat current version of Illustrator and not version CS4 or the like?

As I said: that little options bar is probably hidden below your toolbar. So what you need to do: select the free transform tool. Then take the toolbar and move it around and then you should find the little free transform options bar.

[rockfordnorris]

I will concur. Using the bleeding edge most recent version of Illustrator, and there is no Perspective Distort tool to be found. Preferences reset. Workspace default. Advanced Toolbar. Tore away the Free transform toolbar tool into a floating menu. NOWHERE. It boggles my mind that whenever someone posts a problem, the automatic assumption is that the user is doing something wrong. I took a couple years off from the Adobe suite, only to find Illustrator to be almost unusably buggy, and this just adds to the pile of complaints.

[Monika Gause]

Move your toolbar to the side and you will probably find it.

[Graphic Squirrel]

Maybe this will help: I clicked on the Free Transform button (nothing happened).  Looked behind the Toolbar only to find...nothing.  Then I created a random shape, selected it, and clicked on the Free Transform button...and peeking from behind the Toolbar was the options panel.  So it appears you have to have something selected before the options will pop up.  Maybe that is common knowledge, but it wasn't self-evident to me.  I know how frustrating it can be, so hopefully this will help someone.  

GS

[Donna37808561h5tz]

Thank you!! I finally figured it out once I had something selected! I thought I was going crazy trying all the other suggestions and nothing working.